Required Years of Experience
2 years
Job Details
I’m donut ? is looking for a creative, hands-on Bakery/Pastry Sous Chef who’s ready to bring exceptional technique, consistency, and heart to every donut — and to the team behind them.
As part of our management team, you’ll help lead the New York flagship of the brand that has redefined the donut experience in Japan and continues to set new standards here in Times Square.
Under the creative vision of Chef Ryouta Hirako, I'm donut ? is renowned for its signature "nama" donuts—fresh, melt-in-the-mouth treats that combine a unique brioche-style dough with and are often finished with a variety of unique glazes, toppings or fillings. This style of donut is distinguished by its focus on freshness and its delicate balance of flavors.
Our Times Square location showcases our signature favorites along with flavors inspired by New York, crafted fresh throughout the day.
Our team brings creativity, care, and high standards to everything we do. As a Sous Chef, you’ll help guide daily production and continue elevating the donut experience for our guests.
What You'll Do:
- Culinary Leadership: Oversee the preparation of our unique menu items, ensuring every dish meets our exacting standards. You'll work in a fast-paced kitchen, collaborating with the team to create both classic and new items that delight our customers. All items are handcrafted daily in-house, from our specialty dough to the unique toppings, ensuring an unparalleled donut experience.
- Team Development: Lead by example as you train and mentor our kitchen staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment. You'll play a key role in recruiting, scheduling, and guiding the team to success.
- Operational Excellence: Manage inventory, control costs, and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. You'll maintain the quality and consistency that our brand is known for, from the preparation of ingredients to the final presentation of each dish.
- Service Standards: Uphold the highest levels of cleanliness and organization, ensuring every guest has an exceptional experience. You'll be trained in all guest-facing procedures, from register handling to conflict resolution, and be ready to step in wherever needed.
You Have:
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1–2+ years of team leadership experience in a fast-paced environment (preferred).
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A minimum of 4 years of professional cooking experience in a retail bakery, restaurant, or similar high-quality establishment.
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A Hospitality degree or culinary/pastry certification (preferred but not required), or equivalent hands-on experience.
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A strong commitment to excellence and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to getting the job done.
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The ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a culinary team, fostering collaboration, growth, and consistency.
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A genuine appreciation for the people you work with, contributing to a positive, supportive work environment.
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The physical ability to meet role demands, including frequently lifting up to 25 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodations.
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A willingness to roll up your sleeves and jump in wherever needed to support smooth daily operations.
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A passion for continuous learning, skill refinement, and professional development.
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Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate multiple variables and find the best path forward.
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Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey instructions and ideas.
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A sharp eye for detail, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to brand standards.
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Valid Food Safety Certification, upholding the highest levels of health and safety in our kitchen.
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A High School Diploma or equivalent, with the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
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The ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
What We Offer:
- A dynamic, supportive team environment
- Opportunities for growth and development
- The chance to work with a brand that’s redefining what a donut can be
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
- Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
- Paid Time Off!
Compensation:
Individual compensation decisions are determined by factors that include skills-based qualifications, prior work experience, and balancing internal equity relative to other I’m donut ? employees. We expect the majority of candidates who are offered roles at I’m donut ? to fall healthily within the ranges based on these factors
ADDITIONAL ROLE NOTES:
The duties of this position may change from time to time. I’m donut ? reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of I’m donut ? or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.
I’m donut ? is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, ancestry, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related condition, unemployment status, gender identity or expression, transgender status or gender dysphoria, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, national origin, citizenship, disability, covered veteran and/or military status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, familial status as that term is described under the New York State Human Rights Law, caregiver or partnership status as those terms are defined under the New York City Human Rights Law (if you are employed in New York City) or other protected status or any other characteristic as protected under applicable federal, state and local law (“Protected Status”).
Compensation Details
Compensation: Salary ($70,000.00 - $75,000.00)
Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, Commuter Benefits
Required Skills
Hands on Approach
Time Management
Consistency
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Ability to work in a fast paced environment
Inventory Management
Mentoring and Training Skills
Scheduling
Read more
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Part of I'm donut ?
Welcome to I'm donut ?, where tradition meets innovation under the guidance of our founder, Chef Ryouta Hirako. Our first U.S. location in Times Square, I'm donut ? redefines the very essence of what a donut can be. We offer sweet and savory donuts, equally delicious at breakfast, lunch, dinner or late night.
OUR STORY:
Chef Ryouta Hirako is the visionary founder of the I'm donut ? concept, which originates in Japan. Chef traces his passion for cooking back to his mother, whose prowess in the kitchen captivated him as a child. He began his culinary career as a chef specializing in Italian cuisine, and soon grew his business to include a café, dried flower shop, bakeries, and later, his famous donuts.
In Japan, his concepts include Italian restaurant hiracon'chez (2012), Amam Dacotan bakery (2018), I’m donut ? (2021) and dacō (2023). His locations routinely draw impressive lines and sell out daily.
Chef Ryouta attributes his love for baking to a transformative experience at a bakery in his friend's hometown. Eight years before opening his own bakery, he became a loyal customer of this establishment, where the “shockingly delicious” baked goods shattered his preconceived notions of bread. Chef’s cooking philosophy mirrors his spontaneous nature, as he identifies as a “non-planner,” preferring to let the inspirations of the day guide his creations. He also helms the interior design of all his stores, with an imaginative vision that champions freedom of expression and individuality. His creativity is not only evident in his food, but also in the way in which he weaves a sense of story.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The playful question mark in our name, "I'm donut ?", is a nod to our innovative approach—constantly questioning and creatively expanding the boundaries of traditional pastry. At the core of our offerings are nama donuts, known for their fresh, melt-in-the-mouth experience, and fluffy lightness. Each donut is handcrafted daily in-house, from our specialty dough to the unique toppings, ensuring an unparalleled donut experience.
WHAT IS A “nama” DONUT ?
A "nama" donut refers to a style of donut popularized in Japan. The term "nama" means "fresh" or "raw" in Japanese, and it is used to describe these donuts because of their notably fresh, soft, and moist texture. Nama donuts are less sweet compared to typical Western-style donuts. They are made with high-quality, natural ingredients and are often finished with a variety of unique glazes, toppings or fillings. This style of donut is distinguished by its focus on freshness and its delicate balance of flavors.









